Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Each day I know Christmas is one day closer. The joy and anticipation of the season is the best part. Once the day is here, it is gone so quickly. So we should take each day beginning December 26 and with great excitement and anticipate the Savior's coming. The family gatherings. The cheer to spread and the amazing feeling of peace on earth. Many times we think there can be no peace with war, sickness, failures etc. but I read somewhere that true peace comes in the midst of strife. So seek it out. Even if it's a mere few minutes. If you just have to draw away for a few moments alone with yourself and God. Feel His love and embrace and know that each day we are one day closer to fulfillment of life.

Image is another Christmas card design from my kid's classes. Hope it inspires you to take out the paints and paper and paint some original cards for the special people on your list.

Monday, November 26, 2007

So much to do and just wanting to relax and enjoy the quiet day....is that bad? I need to finish decorating for the holidays, bake, shop, wrap, clean, make art, mail cards and art submissions and the list goes on and on and on just like yours I'm sure. Please share how you take advantage of rainy days just for you and not feel guilty. I find myself going from task to task, saying, "I'll just do this and then take time for me." BUT after an almost entire day of little chore to little chore, the day is gone and I took no time for me. I am a firm believer in taking time for me to be better for my family. When I don't for weeks on end, I often get resentful and turn out to be a not very "nice" person to live with....so share your thoughts on how you make time for you and not feel one bit bad about it!

Image is a card idea for my kids class. It's just little strokes from various paint pens to make the tree shape.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

As I was visiting a local art gallery and holiday sale yesterday, I took time to once again look at the work of a favorite local artist's exhibit. She died a couple years ago and her work has been on display since then. I own a few small pieces but was considering a larger purchase.

The thought came to mind that we have so many fine artists come and go. They are talented and and prolific but once they are deceased, their work is either in high demand or forgotten. I'm afraid that is what is happening with this fine artist's work. My work is not nearly as fine but will soon be forgotten and discarded once I am gone. I wonder how much great art has ended up in thrift shops, basements, attics and worse yet the local land fill. Which also makes me ask many questions. Are we too prolific as artists? Are we wasting money, time and supplies? Can we limit creativity? Should we? What is the answer? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these questions and ideas.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving is more thansitting around the same dinner tablebeing in the same towneating turkey, dressing and pumpkin piewatching football and paradesplanning for holiday shopping and sales eventsThanksgiving is about a heart bursting with appreciation for the gifts God has given us all year.We should celebrate that every day of every year we breathe.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

We often hear only the negative about computers....malfunctions, people doing bad things to systems, people leaving their families for other lives...the list goes on but I'm here to say computers do good too. I have a whole network of friends that are there at the click of a button to pray for needs, friends to keep in touch with during busy times, inspirational sites continually feed my spirit and my artistic endeavors. Other people's blogs tell me that we are all in this world together. We all have similar problems and goals and needs and like the old song goes...people need people and people need the Lord...we're all in it together so let's help each other out at every chance possible.

May you know many blessings this Thanksgiving season and share them with many!

Image is a digital collage of my shadow with fall colors and computer text.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Picasso said it best "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."This was so evident with my kids yesterday. Painting their self portraits, they abandoned all fear and jumped in with both hands. Laying down bright colors, imaginative backgrounds, changing their hair color. What beautiful work! Not labored or filtered. Why can't we maintain that enthusiastic manner when we grow up? Here are their efforts!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Despite not sleeping well the night before and being exhausted last night, I was wide awake at 2:30 this morning. I just decided to get up and get busy. I will crash and burn later. My mom said I didn't like to sleep as a child but I sure wish I could now. Ah, to sleep perchance to dream...

Monday, November 05, 2007

How do I let it get here and not be ahead of the game every year? I have bought a few presents and plan to start baking and freezing this week! I've even thought of putting up the tree early since my son will hopefully be home for Thanksgiving for a couple days. He loves Christmas as much as I do. The Southern Christmas Show comes to town this week and it always puts me in the spirit and gives me lots of ideas. I really like a simple holiday with family. I have a small family but it always amazes me how much there is to do. I love it but if only I could do on 4 hours of sleep a night. Not possible.I also think it's time to start those gratitude lists and let the rest take care of itself.

I am thankful for:

God, my heavenly father

Christ, my Savior

super husband

dear son

wonderful parents

dad didn't break his knee when he fell

home

friends

art

a good life

Have you started your list?

Image is from a beach journal started with a friend. We are the alias mermaids, Maggie and Mia.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

I spent the day with my parents yesterday. Dad had fallen a couple days ago and had doctor apts already lined up. He only went to the ER after he decided it was serious. No broken bones but his arthritic knee was messed up pretty bad. He's diabetic and on cumaden (not sure of spelling) so they have to be cautious of what they do. Despite it all we had a fun time going together and enjoying the time together and fall color on the ride.

I realized once there the same stretch of high 70 goes to where my son lives. It felt good to know we were connected by that road even though about 400 miles apart. This short verse came to mind.

A span of Hwy 70 connects the state end to endas our hearts connect our love and care for one another.I can never know the depth an volume of this love withoutknowing the importance of God in it all.

Blessing on you this day! Enjoy the wild altered me photo. Altered by scratching out the background and adding prismacolor and Elmer's paint pens to the remains.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

I finally got good at saying NO, but still find myself with too many projects, commitments and dreams. I just want to make art and share it the best way I know how. Seems this blog is the way. I've tried to start a new blog at Artella but I seldom get my self on there to do it. How do those of you who keep several blogs going do it? I have dial up internet service so loading and waiting is so slow for me. Maybe that's one reason I often fall short. I do find a little time for art almost every single day. I do several swaps. I still take care of my husband and grown son and parents and some friends. I'm not old by any means of today's standards (52) but I do get tired easily and chase various aches and pains around. 24/7 never seems to be enough time! Please share you ideas with me. Blessings to you who do it all and do it well.